Knapsack



(No Model.)

H? c. ME'RRIAM.

' V KNAPSAGK.

No. 494,216. Patented Mar. 28, 1893.

UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY O. MERRIAM, OF FORT LOGAN, COLORADO.

KNAPSACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,216, dated March 28, 1893.

Application filed April 2, 1892- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. MERRIAM, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Fort Logan, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knapsacks, of which the following is aspecification.

My said invention is an improvement in that form of knapsack shown in Letters Patent of the United States granted me on the 13th day of June, 1876, No. 178,545.

The improvement herein shown relates to the side braces which support the pack upon the hip strap and the object of the said improvement is to simplify the construction and adjustment without sacrifice of the advantages of my improved system of military packs.

My invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1. is a side elevation of the pack in place with the side braces attached thereto. Fig. 2. shows a side elevation of the brace detached.

In the drawings, A represents the brace, the lower end of which is attached to the hipstrap as shown in my said patent, or is supported in a socket as shown in my Letters Patent of the United States granted May 3 1887, No. 362,302.

In my improved construction, the pack B, is connected to the side braces at the upper rear corners, by a direct connection. In order that the pack may be adjusted to men of different sizes, it is necessary that this connection should be adjustable in length. I provide a very simple means of adjustment by which the upper end of the brace is flexibly connected directly to the upper outer corners of the pack by means of a leather thong tied around the brace. The leather thong is shown at b. In order to provide for the vertical adjustment I form the upper end of the brace with a series of notches d, in any one of which the thong may be tied. This thong may be connected to the pack by a ring or loop attached to the pack.

Other means of connection may be provided Serial No. 427,436. (to model.)

instead of the thong, although this is very simple and effective and is flexible so that the brace may be moved in relation to the pack without breaking.

As the pack is thus supported by its upper rear corners'the tendency of the lower portion of the pack is to swing outward, away from the back of the wearer, and thus bring the lower front corners directly beneath the said upper rear corners. For holding the pack in proximity to the back of the wearer I have provided the straps c, 0, one upon each side of the pack, these being adjustable by means of a buckle or the like as shown in the drawings. One end of each strap is riveted or otherwise secured to the back of the pack, and the other end is secured to the front face or edge of the pack. Through the loop thus formed by the strap passes the brace, and the inclination of the pack may be adjusted by tightening the strap until the front face of the pack is drawn into line with that portion of the brace against which the strap bears, or as near to that position as may be desired.

I claim for my invention 1. In combination with the knapsack the braces adapted to be supported in the hip strap and having the edges of their upper ends provided with a series of notches, and the flexible fastening means passing around the braces and engaging said notches to adjustably secure the braces to the pack, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the pack and braces adapted to be supported upon the hip-strap and adjustably connected to the pack at the upper rear corners the adjusting strap 0 secured at the lower part ofthe pack and extending forward to the braces for the purpose of regulating the angle of the pack with reference to the brace A, and the back of the person carrying pack.

In testimony whereoflat'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. MERRIAM.

Witnesses:

A. B. JOHNSON, O. H. COOHRAN. 

